Semiconductor integrated circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device and process

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor integrated circuit which includes an optical device for performing optical communication and which exhibits a predetermined function. This semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first electricity supply portion, which is connected to the optical device, and a second electricity supply portion, which differs from the first electricity supply portion and is connected to the optical device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 11/150,228 filed Jun. 13,2005. The disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2004-273964, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit andto a semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device and process,and more particularly relates to a semiconductor integrated circuitwhich includes an optical device for optical communication and isstructured so as to exhibit a predetermined function, and to asemiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device and process forarranging this semiconductor integrated circuit at a predeterminedposition.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, semiconductor integrated circuits which include opticaldevices and are structured so as to exhibit predetermined functions havebeen proposed. When such a semiconductor integrated circuit is beingarranged at a printed circuit board, it is not judged whether or not theoptical device(s) function(s) properly. Consequently, it has beenpossible for semiconductor integrated circuits equipped withunsatisfactory optical devices to be arranged at printed circuit boards.

Furthermore, conventionally, semiconductor integrated circuits have beenarranged at printed circuit boards as described below (see JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 11-273816). Specifically,optical devices dedicated to positioning are provided beforehand at eachof a semiconductor integrated circuit and a printed circuit board. Whenthe semiconductor integrated circuit is being arranged at the printedcircuit board, the semiconductor integrated circuit is positioned at theprinted circuit board at a position at which conditions of lightemission and light reception, by the optical devices for positioningwhich have been provided at the semiconductor integrated circuit and theprinted circuit board, are optimal.

However, even if a semiconductor integrated circuit is positioned at aprinted circuit board using optical devices for positioning in thismanner and the optical devices for positioning are disposed at accuratepositions, there may be fabrication errors and the like unrelated to theoptical devices for positioning, which may cause a mounted opticaldevice to be disposed at a position which is offset from an originalposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised in consideration of thecircumstances described above, and provides a semiconductor integratedcircuit, semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device andsemiconductor integrated circuit arrangement process which are capableof preventing the arrangement at predetermined positions ofunsatisfactory semiconductor integrated circuits.

The present invention also provides a semiconductor integrated circuitarrangement device and process capable of directly positioning anoptical device that is to be positioned at a scheduled position ofarrangement and improving accuracy of positioning of a semiconductorintegrated circuit.

A first aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor integratedcircuit which includes an optical device for optical communication andis structured so as to exhibit a predetermined function, thesemiconductor integrated circuit including: a first electricity supplyportion connected to the optical device; and a second electricity supplyportion connected to the optical device, which differs from the firstelectricity supply portion.

That is, the semiconductor integrated circuit of the present inventionincludes the optical device for performing optical communication and hasstructure such that the predetermined function is realized. The firstelectricity supply portion and the second electricity supply portion areconnected to this optical device.

A semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of a second aspectof the present invention includes: a retaining portion which touches thesecond electricity supply portion of the semiconductor integratedcircuit and retains the semiconductor integrated circuit; a movementsection which moves the retaining portion; an operating portion whichoperates the optical device by supplying current via the retainingportion and the second electricity supply portion; and a judgmentsection which judges quality of the optical device on the basis of anoperating state of the optical device caused by the operating portion.

With the invention described above, it is judged whether thesemiconductor integrated circuit is satisfactory or not and thesemiconductor integrated circuit is arranged at a predeterminedscheduled position of arrangement. However, it is also possible for thesemiconductor integrated circuit to be arranged at the predeterminedscheduled position of arrangement without judging whether thesemiconductor integrated circuit is satisfactory or not. In other words,a semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of a third aspectof the present invention is a semiconductor integrated circuitarrangement device which includes: a retaining portion which touches thesecond electricity supply portion of the semiconductor integratedcircuit and retains the semiconductor integrated circuit; a movementsection which moves the retaining portion; and an operating portionwhich operates the optical device, wherein the movement section disposesthe semiconductor integrated circuit at a pre-specified scheduledposition of arrangement, disposes a positioning optical device at anoptical communication position, at which optical communication with theoptical device of the semiconductor integrated circuit is possible, and,in a state in which the optical device is being operated, positions thesemiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of a condition of opticalcommunication between the optical device and the positioning opticaldevice.

A semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement process of a fourthaspect of the present invention is a semiconductor integrated circuitarrangement process for arranging a semiconductor integrated circuit,which includes an optical device for optical communication and isstructured so as to exhibit a predetermined function, at a predeterminedposition of arrangement, the process including: a step of operating theoptical device; a step of performing optical communication with theoptical device which is being operated by the step of operating; and astep of positioning the semiconductor integrated circuit with respect toa board on the basis of a condition of optical communication in the stepof performing optical communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail basedon the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a mounter relating to the presentembodiment, being a plan view of the mounter;

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of the mounter, being a side view of themounter;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an IC chip;

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the IC chip;

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of another IC chip;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views showing states of retention and lifting ofan IC chip by a distal end portion of an arm;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the mounter;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an arrangement processing routine executedby the mounter;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine, of step 100 in FIG. 6, forarrangement processing of a first IC chip;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine, of step 200 in FIG. 6, forarrangement processing of a second IC chip;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which an IC chip is being moved to ascheduled position of arrangement;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the IC chip is being finelyadjusted for disposition at the scheduled position of arrangement;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which adhesive has been supplied tobetween the IC chip and a printed circuit board;

FIG. 12 is a view in which another IC chip is laminated onto the ICchip;

FIG. 13A is a view of a time when the first IC chip has been moved tothe scheduled position of arrangement;

FIG. 13B is a view showing a state in which a light-detecting element isdisposed at a scheduled position of arrangement of an optical device ofthe second IC chip and optical communication is performed between theoptical device of the first IC chip and the light-detecting element;

FIG. 14A is a view of a time when the second IC chip is being arranged;

FIG. 14B is a view showing a state when the second IC chip has beenpositioned;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a state of positioning of a first IC chip anda second IC chip relating to a variant example of the presentembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a waveguide of another variant example of thepresent embodiment; and

FIGS. 17A and 17B are views showing variant examples of the IC chip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As is shown in FIG. 1, a mounter which serves as a semiconductorintegrated circuit arrangement device relating to a present embodimentis provided with a conveyor belt 32, which transports a printed circuitboard (PWPA) 30. A chip tray 40, at which plural IC chips 42 serving assemiconductor integrated circuits are arranged in a matrix pattern, isprovided at a side of this conveyor belt 32.

Further, the mounter is provided with two y-direction shafts 54, whichare formed in a Π-shape at outer sides of a region of arrangement ofboth the chip tray 40 and the conveyor belt 32. An x-direction shaft 52is provided to span between the two y-direction shafts 54. Thex-direction shaft 52 is mounted at the y-direction shafts 54 to bemovable in a Y direction. An arm 50 is mounted at the x-direction shaft52 to be movable in an X direction. A distal end portion 56, whichretains one of the IC chips 42, is mounted at the arm 50 to be movablein a Z direction, and to be additionally capable of fine movements inthree dimensions. The distal end portion 56 is equipped with contactportions 56A1 and 56A2, which make contact with contact test terminals42B of the IC chip 42, and a suction portion 56C, which applies suctionand retains the IC chip 42. Note that the X, Y and Z directions aremutually orthogonal.

The mounter is also equipped with a movement mechanism 27. The movementmechanism 27 is mounted to be rotatable about a shaft 25, for moving alight-detecting element 22 to a pre-specified position of the printedcircuit board (PWPA) 30 (an optical communication position, which willbe discussed later), and is capable of extending and retracting.

The mounter is further provided with a printed circuit board powersupply section (a printed circuit board connecting section) 90, whichconnects with the printed circuit board 30 and supplies current tolater-described optical devices for operating the same.

The mounter is also provided with a management device 64, which isprovided with a display device 58, a keyboard 60 and a mouse 62, or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 2, the IC chip 42 is equipped, at two opposite sidefaces thereof, with plural lead wires 42A, which serve as firstelectricity supply portions, and plural contact test terminals 42B,which serve as second electricity supply portions.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the IC chip 42 includes plural optical devices 20for optical communication and is structured so as to exhibitpredetermined functions. The optical devices 20 are disposed at a bottomface of the IC chip 42, and the above-described lead wires 42A andcontact test terminals 42B are connected to the optical devices 20.Here, the form of the contact test terminals 42B is not limited to aform which is bent through 90° twice, as is shown in FIG. 3A. A formshown in FIG. 3B, which is bent through 90° at four points, is alsopossible.

The contact test terminals 42B are structured to be connectable withanother IC chip. This will be discussed in more detail later. The leadwires 42A are structured to be connectable with the printed circuitboard 30 at which the IC chip 42 is to be arranged. Further, the leadwires 42A may be structured to be connectable with another IC chip.Current is supplied to the contact test terminals 42B during the ICmounting process and, as a result, the optical devices 20 are operated.Current may also be supplied to contacts 42A and or 42B to operateoptical devices 20 during the normal operation of the device.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, a state in which the distal endportion 56 of the arm 50 retains the IC chip 42 will be described. Asshown in FIG. 4A, the suction portion 56C is extendably/retractablymounted at the distal end portion 56. The distal end portion 56 is alsoequipped with the contact portions 56A1 and 56A2 for contacting thecontact test terminals 42B of the IC chip 42. As shown in FIG. 4A, thearm 50 extends the distal end portion 56 to a vicinity of the IC chip 42and, as shown in FIG. 4B, the suction portion 56C is caused to touch theIC chip 42. When the suction portion 56C touches the IC chip 42, thesuction portion 56C is retracted in a state in which the suction portion56C is applying suction to the IC chip 42, and thus the IC chip 42 islifted. When the IC chip 42 is lifted, the contact test terminals 42B ofthe IC chip 42 make contact with the contact portions 56A1 and 56A2, asshown in FIG. 4C.

As shown in FIG. 5, a control system for the mounter is equipped with anx-direction moving motor 66, a y-direction moving motor 68 and az-direction moving motor 70. The x-direction moving motor 66 moves thearm 50 in the X direction along the x-direction shaft 52, they-direction moving motor 68 moves the x-direction shaft 52 in the Ydirection along the y-direction shafts 54, and the z-direction movingmotor 70 moves the distal end portion 56 of the arm 50 in the Zdirection. This control system is also equipped with a distal endportion-moving motor 78, which is provided at the arm 50 and moves thedistal end portion 56 in three dimensions.

Further, this control system is also equipped with a controller 84. Thex-direction moving motor 66, the y-direction moving motor 68 and thez-direction moving motor 70 are connected to the controller 84 viarespective drivers 72, 74 and 76, and the distal end portion-movingmotor 78 is connected to the controller 84 via a driver 80.

The controller 84 can control the x-direction moving motor 66, they-direction moving motor 68 and the z-direction moving motor 70 via thedrivers 72, 74 and 76, to move the arm 50 in the X direction along thex-direction shaft 52, to move the x-direction shaft 52 in the Ydirection along the y-direction shafts 54, and to move the distal endportion 56 provided at the distal end of the arm 50 in the Z direction.The controller 84 can also control the distal end portion-moving motor78, via the driver 80, to move the distal end portion 56 provided at thearm 50 in three dimensions.

The two contact portions 56A1 and 56A2 of the distal end portion 56, thesuction portion 56C and, via a driver 56D, a suction portion-drivingmotor 56CM are also connected to the controller 84. The suctionportion-driving motor 56CM moves the suction portion 56C in a verticaldirection (the Z direction). Thus, the controller 84 can move thesuction portion 56C vertically, by controlling the suctionportion-driving motor 56CM, and can operate the suction portion 56C.Furthermore, as will be described later, the controller 84 can supplycurrent to the contact portions 56A1 and 56A2.

The controller 84 is further connected, via drivers 82 and 86, to anextension/retraction motor 85 and a rotary motor 88 at the movementmechanism 27, and is also connected to the light-detecting element 22.Thus, the controller 84 can control the extension/retraction motor 85and the rotary motor 88 of the movement mechanism 27 via the drivers 82and 86 and can move the light-detecting element 22 to the pre-specifiedposition (the optical communication position to be described later).

Further, the printed circuit board power supply section 90 is connectedto the controller 84, and the controller 84 can supply current to andoperate the optical devices via the printed circuit board power supplysection 90 and the printed circuit board 30.

Herein, the controller 84 is provided in the management device 64, andis also connected with the aforementioned display device 58, mouse 62and keyboard 60.

Next, operation of the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an IC chip arrangement processing routine which is executedby the mounter. This IC chip arrangement processing routine starts whena predetermined start button at the management device 64 is set to ON.

In the IC chip arrangement processing, a pair of IC chips is disposed atthe printed circuit board, and this is performed repeatedly. However, inorder to simplify the following descriptions, arrangement processing foronly one pair of IC chips will be described. Of this pair of IC chips,the IC chip that is arranged first is referred to as a first IC chip(i.e. VCEL), and the IC chip that is arranged thereafter is referred toas a second IC chip (i.e. PD).

When this IC chip arrangement processing routine starts, arrangementprocessing of the first IC chip is executed in step 100, and arrangementprocessing of the second IC chip is executed in step 200.

More specifically, in the arrangement processing of the first IC chip ofstep 100, as shown in FIG. 7, first, in step 102, the first IC chip 42is retained. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the plural ICchips 42 arranged at the chip tray 40 are designated to be taken out ina sequence. In step 102, the arm 50 moves to above the IC chip 42 thatis currently designated in the sequence. As shown in FIG. 4A, the distalend portion 56 is brought close above the IC chip 42, and then thesuction portion 56C is caused to touch the IC chip 42. Then, in thestate in which the IC chip 42 is being sucked by the suction portion56C, the suction portion 56C is raised and, as shown in FIG. 4C, thecontact portions 56A1 and 56A2 come into contact with the contact testterminals 42B of the IC chip 42.

In a next step 104, current is supplied through the contact portions56A1 and 56A2 to the contact test terminals 42B. As mentioned earlier,the contact test terminals 42B are connected with the optical devices 20of the IC chip 42 as shown in FIG. 3A. Thus, the current is applied viathe contact portions 56A1 and 56A2 and the contact test terminals 42B tothe optical devices 20.

In a next step 106, it is determined whether the first IC chip 42 issatisfactory or not. That is, if current flows in the optical devices 20as a result of the supply of current to the optical devices 20 of the ICchip 42 by step 104, the optical devices 20 are satisfactory, whichmeans that the IC chip 42 can be judged to be a satisfactory product. Ifcurrent does not flow in the optical devices 20, the optical devices 20are unsatisfactory, which means that the IC chip 42 can be judged to bea defective product. Accordingly, in the present step 106, the opticaldevices 20 are judged to be satisfactory or defective on the basis ofoperational states, meaning current supply states, of the opticaldevices 20. Thus, quality/defectiveness of the IC chip 42 can bedetermined.

If the IC chip 42 is judged defective in step 106, in step 108, awarning is displayed at the display device 58 and, in step 110, thefirst IC chip 42 is accommodated in an unillustrated reject recoverybox. The routine returns to step 102, and executes the above processing(steps 102 to 106) again.

On the other hand, if the first IC chip 42 has been judged satisfactory,in step 112, the first IC chip 42 is moved to a pre-specified scheduledposition of arrangement. Specifically, the management device 64 storesinformation of scheduled positions of arrangement (x, y, z co-ordinateinformation) for arrangement of the respective IC chips and, on thebasis of this information, moves the arm 50 to move the first IC chip 42to the scheduled position of arrangement thereof. As shown in FIGS. 9and 13A, a waveguide 30A is formed inside the printed circuit board 30.The scheduled position of arrangement is at a distal end position of thewaveguide 30A. In the present step 112, the optical devices 20 of the ICchip 42 are arranged so as to be disposed at this scheduled position ofarrangement (i.e., one end of the waveguide 30A).

In step 114, as shown in FIG. 13B, the light-detecting element 22 isdisposed at a scheduled position of arrangement of the second IC chip,which will optically communicate with the first IC chip (an opticalcommunication position, which is at the other end of the waveguide 30A).

In step 116, the first IC chip 42 is fixed at a position at which asignal from the light-detecting element 22 is maximized. That is, first,current is supplied to the optical devices 20 via the contact portions56A1 and 56A2 and the contact test terminals 42B. Thus, the opticaldevices 20 are operated (caused to emit light). When the optical devices20 emit light, light from the optical devices 20 passes through thewaveguide 30A and reaches the light-detecting element 22 disposed at theoptical communication position, as shown in FIG. 13B. Hence, a signalwith a strength corresponding to an intensity of received light isinputted from the light-detecting element 22 to the controller 84. Hencein the present step 116, as shown in FIG. 10, the distal end portion 56is finely adjusted in the X direction and the Y direction, and ininclination, and positions the IC chip 42 (i.e., the optical devices 20)at a position at which the strength of the signal from thelight-detecting element 22 is maximized.

In the present step 116, current is supplied to the optical devices 20through the contact portions 56A1 and 56A2 and the contact testterminals 42B. Note, however, that current could also be suppliedthrough the printed circuit board power supply section 90, and throughthe lead wires 42A from the printed circuit board.

Then, in step 118, as shown in FIG. 11, adhesive 95 is supplied betweenthe IC chip 42 and the printed circuit board 30 from an unillustratedadhesive supply apparatus. Hence, adhesiveness of the adhesive 95 israised by irradiating the adhesive 95 with UV light, and the IC chip 42is fixed to the printed circuit board 30. As known to those skilled inthe art other methods of IC attachment may be used; i.e. ThermalCompression Bonding, Ultrasonic Bonding, Local Reflow, etc.

Thereafter, it is possible for another IC chip 42X to be stacked on thefirst IC chip 42, as is shown in FIG. 12. In such a case, lead wires42XA of the other IC chip 42X connect with the contact test terminals42B of the first IC chip 42.

Next, arrangement processing of the second IC chip (step 200 in FIG. 6)will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

From step 202 to step 210, processing similar to steps 102 to 110 of thefirst IC chip arrangement processing described above is executed for thesecond IC chip.

In a subsequent step 212, as shown in FIG. 14A, a second IC chip 42Y isarranged by the arm 50 such that optical devices 20Y of the second ICchip 42Y are disposed at the above-mentioned optical communicationposition.

In step 214, current passes through the printed circuit board powersupply section 90, and through the lead wires 42A from the printedcircuit board, to the first IC chip 42.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 14A, the optical devices 20 of the firstIC chip 42 emit light, and light from the optical devices 20 passesthrough the waveguide 30A to the optical devices 20Y of the second ICchip 42Y.

In step 216, in a similar manner to the above-described step 116, thesecond IC chip 42Y is fixed at a position at which a signal from theoptical devices 20Y of the second IC chip 42Y is maximized.

In step 218, in a similar manner to the above-described step 118,adhesive is supplied between the second IC chip 42Y and the printedcircuit board 30. Other methods of attachment, as known to those skilledin the art are also possible.

With the present embodiment as described above, before an IC chip isarranged at a printed circuit board, quality of the IC chip is judged,and unsatisfactory IC chips are recovered. Therefore, it is possible toprevent defective IC chips being arranged at the printed circuit board.

Furthermore, with the present embodiment, the mounted optical devicesare not dedicated optical devices for positioning but are disposed at ascheduled position of arrangement. Therefore, optical devices that areto be positioned can be directly disposed at scheduled positions ofarrangement, and positioning accuracy of IC chips can be improved.

In the embodiment described above, the arm 50 is singly provided, andthe first IC chip and second IC chip are separately arranged at theprinted circuit board. However, the present invention is not limitedthus. As shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to, for example, providetwo arms, dispose both the first IC chip and the second IC chip at thescheduled positions of arrangement of the respective IC chips with therespective arms, adjust the positions of arrangement of the first ICchip and the second IC chip on the basis of optical communicationsbetween the first IC chip and the second IC chip, and then fix the ICchips.

In such a case, current may be supplied through the respective arms tothe optical devices via the contact portions and contact test terminals,and current may also be supplied through a printed circuit board powersupply section via the lead wires from the printed circuit board.

Further, in the embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 13A and13B, a single waveguide is formed in the printed circuit board to linkthe position of an optical device of the first IC chip 42 with theposition of an optical device of the second IC chip 42Y. However, thepresent invention is not limited thus. As shown in FIG. 16, a waveguide30A2 may be formed from a waveguide 30A1 which branches partwaytherealong. In other words, this waveguide is structured by the firstwaveguide 30A1, which links the position of the optical device of thefirst IC chip 42 with the position of the optical device of the secondIC chip 42Y, and a second waveguide 30A2, which branches from the firstwaveguide 30A1 partway therealong. The light-detecting element 22 may bedisposed at an exit aperture of the second waveguide 30A2.

Further yet, although the contact test terminals are structured asconnection wires, as shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is notlimited thus. As shown in FIG. 17A, the contact test terminals may bestructured as recess portions 42BX1 which are formed at an upper portionof the IC chip 42 and, as shown in FIG. 17B, the contact test terminalsmay be structured as surface terminals 42BX2 which are provided at a topface of the IC chip 42.

The embodiment described above has a structure in which the suctionportion applies suction to the IC chip and the contact test terminals ofthe IC chip make contact with the contact portions at the distal end ofthe arm. However, the present invention is not limited thus. Structuresare also possible in which the suction portion is omitted and the ICchip is retained by retention of the contact test terminals of the ICchip.

Further again, in the embodiment described above, the IC chip isprovided separately with the lead wires and the contact test terminals.However, it is also possible to provide wires which feature thefunctions of both the lead wires and the contact test terminals.

Now, in a semiconductor integrated circuit of the present invention, asecond electricity supply portion may be connected to be capable ofoperating the optical device by supplying current, and a firstelectricity supply portion may be structured to be connectable with aboard at which the semiconductor integrated circuit is to be arranged.

Further, the second electricity supply portion may be structured to beconnectable with another semiconductor integrated circuit.

The first electricity supply portion may be structured to be connectablewith another semiconductor integrated circuit. When the secondelectricity supply portion is structured to be connectable with theother semiconductor integrated circuit as described above, the othersemiconductor integrated circuit may be structured such that the firstelectricity supply portion is connectable with the other semiconductorintegrated circuit. Further, the second electricity supply portion maybe structured to be connectable with a first electricity supply portionof the other semiconductor integrated circuit.

Here, at the semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of thepresent invention, a retaining portion retains the semiconductorintegrated circuit via the second electricity supply portions of thesemiconductor integrated circuit. In this case, the second electricitysupply portion of the semiconductor integrated circuit is connected tobe capable of operating the optical device by supplying current.

A movement section moves the retaining portion. When the movementsection moves the retaining portion thus, the semiconductor integratedcircuit can be arranged at a predetermined position.

An operating portion operates the optical device by supplying currentthrough the retaining portion and the second electricity supply portion.Here, the operating portion supplies current to the optical device viathe retaining portion and the second electricity supply portion whilethe retaining portion is retaining the semiconductor integrated circuit.In such a case, the operating portion may supply current to the opticaldevice before the movement section moves the retaining portion.

Further, a judgment section judges quality of the optical device on thebasis of an operating state of the optical device caused by theoperating portion. Because the semiconductor integrated circuit includesthe optical device(s) and is structured so as to exhibit a predeterminedfunction, quality of the optical device(s) corresponds to quality of thesemiconductor circuit.

In this manner, the optical device is operated by the supply of currentthrough the retaining portion and the second electricity supply portion,and whether the optical device is satisfactory or not is determined onthe basis of the operating state of the optical device. Thus, it ispossible to judge quality of the semiconductor circuit by a directjudgment of the quality of the optical device for performing thepredetermined function.

If, as described earlier, the operating portion supplies current to theoptical device and quality of the optical device is judged on the basisof the operating state of the optical device before the movement sectionmoves the retaining portion, the quality of the semiconductor integratedcircuit can be judged before the semiconductor integrated circuit isarranged at the predetermined position. As a result, it is possible toprevent a defective semiconductor integrated circuit from being arrangedat the predetermined position.

The movement section disposes the semiconductor integrated circuit atthe pre-specified scheduled position of arrangement and disposes apositioning optical device at an optical communication position, atwhich optical communication with the optical device of the semiconductorintegrated circuit is possible, and the optical device is operated. Inthis state, the movement section positions the semiconductor integratedcircuit on the basis of conditions of optical communication between theoptical device and the positioning optical device. Consequently, it ispossible to directly dispose the optical device that is to be positionedat the scheduled position of arrangement, and it is possible to improveaccuracy of positioning of the semiconductor integrated circuit.

Incidentally, it is possible that the positioning optical device isstructured by an individual optical element and that, after the movementsection has positioned the semiconductor integrated circuit, themovement section moves another semiconductor integrated circuit suchthat an optical device of the other semiconductor integrated circuit isdisposed at the optical communication position instead of thepositioning optical device, and the movement section positions the othersemiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of conditions of opticalcommunication between the optical device(s) of the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the optical device(s) of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit.

In this case, the other semiconductor integrated circuit is positionedusing the optical device thereof, which is for implementing apredetermined function at the other semiconductor integrated circuit.Thus, it is possible to directly dispose the optical device that is tobe positioned at a scheduled position of arrangement, and it is possibleto improve accuracy of positioning of the other semiconductor integratedcircuit.

It is also possible for the positioning optical device to be the opticaldevice of the other semiconductor integrated circuit, with the movementsection positioning the semiconductor integrated circuit and the othersemiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of conditions of opticalcommunication between the optical device(s) of the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the optical device(s) of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit.

In this case too, because the semiconductor integrated circuits arepositioned using the optical devices thereof, which are for implementingthe predetermined functions, it is possible to directly dispose theoptical devices that are to be positioned at the scheduled positions ofarrangement, and it is possible to improve accuracy of positioning ofthe semiconductor integrated circuits.

Herein, at a semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of thepresent invention, it is possible that the positioning optical device isstructured by an individual optical element and that, after the movementsection has positioned the semiconductor integrated circuit, themovement section moves another semiconductor integrated circuit suchthat, instead of the positioning optical device, an optical device ofthe other semiconductor integrated circuit is disposed at the opticalcommunication position to serve as a positioning optical device, and themovement section positions the other semiconductor integrated circuit onthe basis of conditions of optical communication between the opticaldevice(s) of the semiconductor integrated circuit and the opticaldevice(s) of the other semiconductor integrated circuit.

Furthermore, it is possible for the positioning optical device to be theoptical device of the other semiconductor integrated circuit, with themovement section positioning the semiconductor integrated circuit andthe other semiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of conditions ofoptical communication between the optical device(s) of the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the optical device(s) of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit.

With these inventions too, it is possible to directly dispose opticaldevices that are to be positioned at scheduled positions of arrangement,and it is possible to improve accuracy of positioning of semiconductorintegrated circuits.

Now, a semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement process relating tothe present invention includes: in a state in which a semiconductorintegrated circuit which includes an optical device for opticalcommunication and is structured so as to exhibit a predeterminedfunction is retained, a step of operating the optical device; a step ofjudging quality of the optical device on the basis of an operating stateof the optical device; a step of disposing a positioning optical deviceat an optical communication position, at which optical communicationwith the optical device of the semiconductor integrated circuit ispossible when the semiconductor integrated circuit is disposed at apre-specified scheduled position of arrangement; and a step of movingthe semiconductor integrated circuit, whose optical device has beenjudged to be satisfactory, to the scheduled position of arrangement andpositioning the semiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of acondition of optical communication between the optical device and thepositioning optical device.

That is, the optical device is operated in the state in which thesemiconductor integrated circuit which includes the optical device foroptical communication and is structured so as to exhibit thepredetermined function is being retained.

Here, the semiconductor integrated circuit in this case may be one ofthe semiconductor integrated circuits described above, and may be thefollowing semiconductor integrated circuit. Specifically, it may be asemiconductor integrated circuit which includes an optical device foroptical communication and is structured so as to exhibit a predeterminedfunction, which semiconductor integrated circuit includes an electricitysupply portion connected to the optical device, this electricity supplyportion being connected to be capable of operating the optical device bysupplying current, and the semiconductor integrated circuit beingcapable of being retained by means of the electricity supply portion.

Further, with this invention, the semiconductor integrated circuit isretained and the optical device is operated, and quality of the opticaldevice is judged on the basis of a state of operation.

Then, when the semiconductor integrated circuit is disposed at thepre-specified scheduled position of arrangement, the positioning opticaldevice is disposed at the optical communication position, at whichoptical communication with the optical device of the semiconductorintegrated circuit is possible. The semiconductor integrated circuit,whose optical device has been judged to be satisfactory, is moved to thescheduled position of arrangement, and the semiconductor integratedcircuit is positioned on the basis of conditions of opticalcommunication between the optical device and the positioning opticaldevice.

Because only a semiconductor integrated circuit whose optical device hasbeen determined to be satisfactory is moved to the scheduled position ofarrangement, unsatisfactory products can be removed. Further, becausethe semiconductor integrated circuit is positioned on the basis ofconditions of optical communication between the optical device and thepositioning optical device, the semiconductor integrated circuit ispositioned using the optical device thereof which is for performing thepredetermined function. Therefore, it is possible to directly disposethe optical device that is to be positioned at the scheduled position ofarrangement, and it is possible to improve accuracy of positioning ofthe semiconductor integrated circuit.

The present invention, as has been described above, has the effect ofmaking it possible to prevent the arrangement of defective semiconductorintegrated circuits at predetermined positions.

Moreover, the present invention has the effect of enabling directpositioning of optical devices that are to be positioned at scheduledpositions of arrangement, and of enabling an improvement in positioningaccuracy of semiconductor integrated circuits.

1. A semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device for arranging asemiconductor integrated circuit which includes an optical device foroptical communication and is structured so as to exhibit a predeterminedfunction, the semiconductor integrated circuit including a firstelectricity supply portion connected to the optical device and a secondelectricity supply portion connected to the optical device, whichdiffers from the first electricity supply portion, the secondelectricity supply portion being connected to the optical device to becapable of operating the optical device by supplying current, and thesemiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device comprising: aretaining portion which touches the second electricity supply portionand retains the semiconductor integrated circuit; a movement sectionwhich moves the retaining portion; an operating portion which operatesthe optical device by supplying current via the retaining portion andthe second electricity supply portion; and a judgment section whichjudges quality of the optical device on the basis of an operating stateof the optical device caused by the operating portion.
 2. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of claim 1, whereinthe movement section disposes the semiconductor integrated circuit at apre-specified scheduled position of arrangement, disposes a positioningoptical device at an optical communication position, at which opticalcommunication with the optical device of the semiconductor integratedcircuit is possible, and, in a state in which the optical device isbeing operated, positions the semiconductor integrated circuit on thebasis of a condition of optical communication between the optical deviceand the positioning optical device.
 3. The semiconductor integratedcircuit arrangement device of claim 2, wherein the positioning opticaldevice is structured as an individual optical element.
 4. Thesemiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device of claim 3, wherein,after the movement section has positioned the semiconductor integratedcircuit, the movement section moves another semiconductor integratedcircuit, which includes an optical device for optical communication andis structured so as to exhibit a predetermined function, such that theoptical device of the other semiconductor integrated circuit is disposedat the optical communication position instead of the positioning opticaldevice, and positions the other semiconductor integrated circuit on thebasis of a condition of optical communication between the optical deviceof the semiconductor integrated circuit and the optical device of theother semiconductor integrated circuit, and the other semiconductorintegrated circuit includes a first electricity supply portion connectedto the optical device thereof and a second electricity supply portionconnected to the optical device thereof, which differs from the firstelectricity supply portion thereof, the second electricity supplyportion of the other semiconductor integrated circuit being connected tobe capable of operating the optical device of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit by supplying current.
 5. The semiconductor integratedcircuit arrangement device of claim 2, wherein the positioning opticaldevice is an optical device of another semiconductor integrated circuit,which includes an optical device for optical communication and isstructured so as to exhibit a predetermined function, the othersemiconductor integrated circuit including a first electricity supplyportion connected to the optical device thereof and a second electricitysupply portion connected to the optical device thereof, which differsfrom the first electricity supply portion thereof, the secondelectricity supply portion of the other semiconductor integrated circuitbeing connected to be capable of operating the optical device of theother semiconductor integrated circuit by supplying current, and themovement section positions the semiconductor integrated circuit and theother semiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of a condition ofoptical communication between the optical device of the semiconductorintegrated circuit and the optical device of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit.
 6. A semiconductor integrated circuit arrangementdevice for arranging a semiconductor integrated circuit which includesan optical device for optical communication and is structured so as toexhibit a predetermined function, the semiconductor integrated circuitincluding a first electricity supply portion connected to the opticaldevice and a second electricity supply portion connected to the opticaldevice, which differs from the first electricity supply portion, thesecond electricity supply portion being connected to the optical deviceto be capable of operating the optical device by supplying current, andthe semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device comprising: aretaining portion which touches the second electricity supply portionand retains the semiconductor integrated circuit; a movement sectionwhich moves the retaining portion; and an operating portion whichoperates the optical device, wherein the movement section disposes thesemiconductor integrated circuit at a pre-specified scheduled positionof arrangement, disposes a positioning optical device at an opticalcommunication position, at which optical communication with the opticaldevice of the semiconductor integrated circuit is possible, and, in astate in which the optical device is being operated, positions thesemiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of a condition of opticalcommunication between the optical device and the positioning opticaldevice.
 7. The semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement device ofclaim 6, wherein the positioning optical device is structured as anindividual optical element.
 8. The semiconductor integrated circuitarrangement device of claim 7, wherein, after the movement section haspositioned the semiconductor integrated circuit, the movement sectionmoves another semiconductor integrated circuit, which includes anoptical device for optical communication and is structured so as toexhibit a predetermined function, such that the optical device of theother semiconductor integrated circuit is disposed at the opticalcommunication position instead of the positioning optical device, andpositions the other semiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of acondition of optical communication between the optical device of thesemiconductor integrated circuit and the optical device of the othersemiconductor integrated circuit, and the other semiconductor integratedcircuit includes a first electricity supply portion connected to theoptical device thereof and a second electricity supply portion connectedto the optical device thereof, which differs from the first electricitysupply portion thereof, the second electricity supply portion of theother semiconductor integrated circuit being connected to be capable ofoperating the optical device of the other semiconductor integratedcircuit by supplying current.
 9. The semiconductor integrated circuitarrangement device of claim 6, wherein the positioning optical device isan optical device of another semiconductor integrated circuit, whichincludes an optical device for optical communication and is structuredso as to exhibit a predetermined function, the other semiconductorintegrated circuit including a first electricity supply portionconnected to the optical device thereof and a second electricity supplyportion connected to the optical device thereof, which differs from thefirst electricity supply portion thereof, the second electricity supplyportion of the other semiconductor integrated circuit being connected tobe capable of operating the optical device of the other semiconductorintegrated circuit by supplying current, and the movement sectionpositions the semiconductor integrated circuit and the othersemiconductor integrated circuit on the basis of a condition of opticalcommunication between the optical device of the semiconductor integratedcircuit and the optical device of the other semiconductor integratedcircuit.
 10. A semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement process forarranging a semiconductor integrated circuit, which includes an opticaldevice for optical communication and is structured so as to exhibit apredetermined function, at a predetermined position of arrangement, theprocess comprising: a step of operating the optical device; a step ofperforming optical communication with the optical device which is beingoperated by the step of operating; and a step of positioning thesemiconductor integrated circuit with respect to a board on the basis ofa condition of optical communication in the step of performing opticalcommunication.
 11. The semiconductor integrated circuit arrangementprocess of claim 10, further comprising a step of judging quality of theoptical device on the basis of an operating state of the optical device.12. The semiconductor integrated circuit arrangement process of claim10, wherein the predetermined position of arrangement is a position, ona board which includes an optical waveguide, at which the optical deviceis capable of optical communication via the optical waveguide, and thestep of performing optical communication includes performing opticalcommunication via the optical waveguide.
 13. The semiconductorintegrated circuit arrangement process of claim 12, further comprising,before the step of performing optical communication, a step of disposinga positioning optical device, which is for performing opticalcommunication with the optical device via the optical wave guide, on theboard.